Mail-bag-delivering device.



lbw-829,213. I PATENTED AUG. 21, 1906.

W. IRION.

MAIL BAG DELIVERING DEVICE.

APPLIOATION FILED APR. 25, 1906.

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W. IRION.

MAIL BAG DELIVERING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APB..25.1906.

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WILLIAM IRION, OF MORRISON, ILLINOIS.

MAlL-BAG-DELIVERING DEVICE- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 21, 1906.

I Application filed April 25, 1906. Serial No. 313,687.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM InroN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Morrison, in the county of Whiteside and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Bag-Delivering Devices; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention has reference to devices for delivering mail-bags from a train while in motion, and comprises a receptacle attached to the platform at the station and mechanism attached to the car for delivering the mail-bag to such receptacle, the last-named mechanism being arranged to be operated coincidently with the bag-catching devices of the car.

The chief advantages of my invention consist in gradually reducing the momentum of the mail-bag as it enters the receptacle until the motion thereof entirely ceases. The mechanism for supporting the bag from the car and releasing the same when the receptacle is encountered is also improved and simple in construction, all of which will more fully appear in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which f- Figure 1 shows a section of the side of a car with the delivering apparatus attached thereto. Fig. 2 is an end view of the receiving device with a portion of the car in crosssection and delivering mechanism in operation. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the delivering devices with a part of the receptacle broken away. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the receptacle. Fig. 5 illustrates one of the doors 18 in enlarged detail.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the several figures.

1 represents the side of the car, and 2 the door therein, to the sides of which is rotatably mounted a catcher-bar 3, provided with a handle 4. Transversely of the bar 3 is a short shaft 5, integral with which is the usual catcher-arm 6. On the opposite end of the shaft 5 is fixed a short bar 7, secured to the bar 3 by means of a pin 8, extending through the bar 7 and into a perforation in the bar 3. By withdrawing the pin 8, giving a half-rotation to the shaft 5, and inserting the pin in a perforation in the opposite end of the arm 3 the arm 6 can be made to operate in the opposite direction. The arm 3 is projected into a short shaft 9, supported to the side of the car and provided on its end with a small miter gear-wheel 10, engaging a similar wheel 11 on the upper end of a vertical shaft 12, journaled to the side of the car. Fixed to the shaft 12 is a frame 13, to the outer end of which is pivoted a cam 14, projected downwardly into a pair of oppositelyextended hooks 15.

16 represents the usual platform, to which is secured a receptacle 17, open at the to and provided at each of its ends with a pair of doors 18, adapted to open inwardly. Transversely of the receptacle 17 is fixed a shaft 19, upon which is supported a swinging buffer 20. Fixed to that side of the receptacle which is farthest from the cars is a pair of braces 21, supporting a track 22, curved upwardly at its ends. Each of the doors 18 is provided with a pair of hinges 23, in the manner illustrated in Fig. 5, the pintles of such hinges being projected into supports 24, upon which are held coiled springs 25, one end of each spring being secured to the door 18 and the other end to the recep- "tacle. The force of the springs 25 is exerted in a direction to close the doors 18 and hold them in such closed position. Such doors are prevented from swinging outwardly "by strips 26, secured transversely of the ends of the receptacle. The bottom of the receptacle 17 is formed of a plurality of spacedapart strips 27. At one cornerof the receptacle 17 is supported the usual crane device 28, adapted to hold the mail-bag 29 until engaged by the catcher-arm 6. 30 represents a mail-bag supported on one of the hooks 15 in readiness to be delivered to the receptacle 17. An outwardly-swinging door 31 is provided in one of the sides of the receptacle, through which the mail-bags can be removed.

one of the hooks 15 While the frame 13 is.

swung inwardly, as shown in Fig. 1, the selection of the hook depending upon the direction in which the car is traveling and being farthest away from the receptacle 17 which the car is approaching. As the bar 3 is rotated to swing the. arm 6 outwardly the same movement operates to give a partial rotation to the shaft 12 and move the frame 13 outwardly at a right angle to the side of the car. When in this position, the cam 14 is in line with the track 22 above the receptacle, so that when the cam comes in contact with said track it will be forced downwardly, upsetting the hooks and permitting the release of the mail-bag. This operation takes place about the time that the mail-bag comes in contactwith the doors 18 in the end of the receptacle 17 the impact of the bag against such doors opening them and permitting the entrance of the bag to such receptacle, where it comes in contact with the swinging buffer 20. The momentum of the bag is partly overcome by the doors 18, and the force of such bag is finally overcome by the swinging buffer, which is swung toward one end of the receptacle, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 3. The bag is then removed from the side of the receptacle through the door 31.

Two or more mail-bags can be suspended on the hook at the saine time, all of such bags being released by the upsetting of the hook in the manner above described. The position of the cam and hooks while passing under the track 22 is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3.

It will be seen that the device can be employed for delivering mail from a car going in either direction. When moving in a direction opposite to that shown in the figures, the operation of the mechanism is reversed, the bag being suspended from the other hook 15, and such hooks upset in a direction contrary to that shown in Fig. 3. The bag enters the receptacle through the other pair of doors 18 and the buffer 20 is swung toward that end of the receptacle toward which the bag is traveling. The catcher-arm 6 can also be turned and set so as to operate in the other direction. By forming the bottom of the receptacle with spaces or similar openings rain or snow will not be retained therein. The receptacle is constructed of metal throu hout of suflicient weight and strength to withstand the strain consequent upon the delivery of the mailbags thereto. The shaft 19 not only furnishes a support for the buffer 20, but acts as a brace for the sides of the receptacle. The hooks 15 are supported at as low a point as convenient, permitting the securing of the receptacle immediately to the platform.

This not only precludes the necessity of a supporting-frame for the receptacle, but renders it easier of access in removing the mailbags therefrom.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. A device for delivering mail-bags from a train, comprising a receptacle, fixed to the station-platform, and provided with a pair of swinging doors in the end thereof; a swingcured to such shaft a hook 15,,pivoted to the outer end of the frame 13, and provided with the cam 14:; means for swinging the frame 13 at right angles to the side of the car simultaneously with the outward movement of the catcher-hook for gathering the mail; the receptacle. 17, providedwith a pair of doors 18 in that end which is toward the approa'ching car; means for holding such doors normally closed; the swinging buffer 20, supported transversely of the receptacle 17; and the track 22, supported above the receptacle 17, in position to engage the cam 14, and upset the hook 15, substantially as shown and for the purpose mentioned.

3. In a device of the class named, the combination of the frame 13, swingingly supported to the side of the car; a pair of hooks 15, pivoted to the outer end of said frame; means for swinging the frame 13 outwardly at right angles to the car, simultaneously with the operation of the catcher-arm for gathering the mail; the receptacle 17 fixed to the station-platform, and provided at each end with a pair of inwardly-swinging doors 18, normally held in closed position; the swinging buffer 20, supported transversely of the receptacle 17; and the track 22, supported above the receptacle 17, in position to engage the cam '14, and upset the hooks 15 when the mail-bag comes in contact with either pair of doors 18; substantially as shown and described.

1. In a device of the class named, the combination of the receptacle 17 having a bottom formed of spaced-apart strips 27; the pairs of doors 18 at each end of the receptacle 17; means for holding said doors normally closed; and the swinging buffer 20, supported transversely of said receptacle, substantially as shown and set forth.

5. In a device of the class named the combination of the frame 13, swingingly sup 5 ported to the side of the car; a pair of oppositely-disposed hooks 15, pivoted to the outer end of the frame 13; the cam 14, integral with the hooks 15; means for swinging the frame 13 outwardly at right angles to the side 10 of the ear, simultaneously with the operation of the catcher-arm for gathering the mail; and means for engaging the cam 14 to suitably upset the hooks 15; substantially as set forth and for the purpose shown.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature I5 in presence of tWo Witnesses.

WILLIAM IRION. Witnesses I. L. WEAVER, CHARLES DELP. 

